A patented technology
that allows strain gauges to be mounted directly inside the customers
components, saving space, removing extraneous errors and enabling
design innovation, is available from Ixthus Instrumentation Ltd.
The durable down-hole strain gauge technique from leading USA
strain measurement specialist Strainsert Inc, provides an elegant
load measurement solution and recent developments now allows
the technology to measure forces as low as 100 N and design miniaturisation
also means they can be built into even smaller areas of just
3 mm diameter and within lengths of only 100 mm.

The technology
is available through Ixthus in Strainserts standard load
sensing product range that includes flat load cells, load sensing
bolts and studs, tension links, and clevis pins but Ixthus are
also able to provide OEMs and research organisations with these
miniature strain gauges directly assembled into customised load
bearing components and structures; either built to design or
assembled into free-issued parts with full calibration and certification
as required.

Unlike strain
gauges that are attached on the outside of load bearing components,
the down-hole strain gauge, typically bonded into a small hole
in the neutral axis of the load sensing path, is insensitive
to off-centre loading, bending and extraneous load forces. Furthermore,
the sealed and encapsulated miniature assembly is extremely well
protected against harsh environments and materials can be selected
to comply with application fatigue ratings and international
safety standards. Compensation for pressure, temperature and
safety redundancy can also be built into customised designs and
the technology also lends itself to space restricted precision
shear and torque measurement.

The typical force
measurement range across standard and customised down-hole strain
gauges is between 100 N and 5 MN, with 0.1% linearity.

Ixthus Instrumentation
provides complete technical and sales support for the entire
range from Strainsert and are on hand to advise and assist customers
with standard products and customised applications. Ixthus have
applied and adapted these innovative products over several years
in all areas of industry and research for demanding applications
in military, aerospace, marine and subsea, oil and gas, mining
and quarry, hoist and crane, and automotive._______________________________________________